Republicans bash Democrats over health care proposals

With landmark health care votes expected in the
coming weeks, Republicans are warning voters that the
Democratic plan to expand coverage to millions who lack it
will increase costs for the average American.

In the Republican Party's radio and Internet address
Saturday, Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns said the health care
legislation would mean higher monthly insurance premiums and
taxes, as well as cuts to the government-run Medicare
program for older people.

"There's no doubt about it," said Johanns.

Democrats have denied these claims, contending that health
care costs are already spiraling out of control and will
only continue to rise if Congress doesn't act. They say
their plan would ultimately lower prices because it would
rein in wasteful spending. They cite, for example, the high
costs of hospitals treating uninsured patients in the
emergency room that gets passed on to other patients.

As Democrats continue to struggle with the details, including
how to pay for it, party leaders in the House and Senate are
aiming to vote next month on legislation.

In general, the legislation would remake the $2.5 trillion
U.S. health care system with a new requirement for most
Americans to purchase health insurance, and government
subsidies to help lower-income people do so. Insurers would
face new restrictions against dropping coverage for sick
people or denying coverage to people with pre-existing
health conditions.

But Johanns, a former agriculture secretary in the Bush
administration, said the plan would hurt a cross-section of
people struggling in the economic downturn. Factory workers
would be hit with higher premiums, while college graduates
saddled with student loans would be forced to pay for health
care they might not be able to afford, he said.

Johanns also claimed that the Democratic plan would eliminate
entirely the ability for families to pay for medical
expenses using tax-free dollars through flexible spending accounts.

The Senate bill under consideration would allow for flexible
spending accounts, but cap them at $2,500 annually.
Currently, there is no federal limit, although employers
typically impose their own caps.

As for the proposed cuts to Medicare providers, Democrats say
their plans would not affect core Medicare benefits and
would strengthen the program overall by reducing fraud and abuse.